Member Reviews

I love this book. I was hooked from the second I picked it up. The narrator was brilliant and I think it was really well red and such a beautiful story. I’m really intrigued to see where book 2 takes us although the ending did annoy me a little bit because Yeah this is very enemies to lovers which I was not expecting but I’m very glad it was. I was annoyed though that Aisling went back to her brothers despite knowing that they had betrayed her.

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An arranged marriage between two mortal enemy species, what could go wrong?

Aisling is being sacrificed in the name of duty. The only highborn princess of the mortal realm, she is being made to marry the king of the fae in a treaty for peace between the two species. Aisling had been taught her whole life that the fae are evil barbaric monsters who invaded and stole the land they now occupy from man. Though she doesn't wish to, she will uphold her duty and marry this fae so that there may be peace between them. During the ceremony Aisling pasts the test that exposes her and the king as soulmates in the eyes of the fae, if that wasn't already a surprise to Aisling, her world and views are about to be shattered as the truth to everything is revealed while she lives with the fae.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was a bit hard to get into but once we get to the location where the marriage will take place I understood it a lot better. The writer tended to get a bit flowery with her words and a lot of the names and fae words were a bit hard to understand but the plot is easy to follow and towards the halfway mark you don't want to put it down.

The secondary characters were easy to follow and I really enjoyed the character of Gilrel (an animal handmaiden) and her relationship with Aisling. To put it bluntly, Aisling is a bit of snooty aristocratic bitch at the beginning. She feels like the animal fae are beneath her and thinks the other fae are highly improper...it was off putting but it was the way she was raised and all she knows. Slowly throughout the book she and Gilrel's relationships changes to one of true friendship I feel, and it was nice to see Aisling overcome her upbringing and come to appreciate and care for all the species around her.

This is a real and true slowburn, so if you're looking for spice you'll be left wanting. There is only one kiss (and it's at the end) but the tension between Aisling and Lir the last half of the book is very intriguing. I can't say how the next book will be, I've never read this author, but I have hopes we can get a bit more from Lir and Aisling since they are supposed to have this all consuming dangerous true love thing going on.

I listened to most of this one thanks to an ALC and I really have to commend the narrator, Samantha Norbury. With so many fae conversations that occur throughout the book it was really amazing she made the language and the pronunciations seem so easy. And it was way better hearing how it was supposed to be said than what I would've made up in my mind if I was reading it. I would've butchered the hell out of it lol. Samantha's pacing was great too and her voice was pleasing as well. She did a good job of mixing up the voices for different characters too. I will be keeping an eye out for future narrations done by her.

I will most likely continue on in this series as I want to see how Lir will find Aisling after she took off like she did and I'd like to see if the author tones the flowery stuff down a bit. Thank you so much to Second Sky Books for gifting me an eARC and to Bookouture Audio for gifting me an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review!

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I had high hopes for the book and series, however, I was left really disappointed. The book strives to paint an intricate world between the mortal woman Aisling and the fae king Lir, in the realm of another ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. However, this book fails to deliver. After 500 pages, the MMC Lir had little to no character growth. Also the writing mentioning “the fae king”, “the mortal queen” and the inside thoughts of Aisling over and over again got really tiring. I feel as if I would have been playing the game of where someone took a drink every time, I would have been wasted after fifty pages.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Mortal Queen is a really well written fantasy. Aisling is a naïve, young princess to be wed to the Fae King. She is torn from believing her father and her husband. They both claim the other to be the monsters that tear the world apart. All she wants is peace and to figure out who she has become.

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The Mortal Queen (The Aisling Trilogy Book 1)
🌟 An Absolutely Addictive Fae Romance 🌟
By Ashley Metzler | Narrated by Samantha Norbury

Samantha Norbury’s narration was phenomenal, truly bringing the story to life with rich emotion and depth.

This book is a thrilling rollercoaster—packed with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. Just when you think you know what’s coming, the story takes a sharp turn, making it impossible to put down.

Aisling’s character arc is empowering—watching her evolve from powerless to a total badass was incredibly satisfying. I can’t wait to see how her strength and determination continue to grow in book two!

The romance is a slow burn, and while I loved the tension, I’m really hoping book two brings the heat and delivers some well-earned spice.

Ashley Metzler’s exquisite world-building is pure magic. The lush descriptions and attention to detail truly immerse you in the world of the fae, making every scene feel vivid and real. The folklore elements are woven in beautifully, adding layers of depth and intrigue.

The characters are complex, dynamic, and wonderfully developed—each with their own unique struggles and strengths.

I need book two right now! If you love fae romance with strong heroines, rich fantasy worlds, and captivating storytelling, this book is a must-read.

Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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4 Stars

Y’all, this was GOOD. We got a savage fae king, a forced marriage, and all the slow-burn tension you could ask for. Aisling and Lir’s dynamic? Absolutely addicting. He’s got that dangerous, morally grey, fiercely loyal energy, and she’s trying so hard not to fall for him—but we all know how that goes.

The world-building was solid, the magic system was interesting, and the pacing kept me hooked. It definitely gave Sarah J. Maas meets Holly Black, which I’m never mad about. The only thing keeping this from being a 5-star read for me was that some parts felt a little predictable, and I wanted just a bit more depth in certain areas. But overall? A super entertaining fantasy romance that I devoured.

If you love fae, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, and a broody, obsessed love interest, this one’s for you!

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The Mortal Queen is a phenomenal read that captivated me from start to finish with its perfect balance of high-stakes drama, intense romance, and masterful world-building. The slow, smoldering burn between the characters is exquisite, drawing you deeper into their intricate relationships—whether they are enemies, soulmates, lovers, or bound by an arranged marriage. The action sequences are breathtaking, and each twist and turn keeps you on the edge of your seat. The author's world-building in The Mortal Queen is marvelous—it's richly imaginative yet never feels overwhelming. The simmering hatred and fierce rivalry serve as the perfect backdrop for the characters' development, while the meticulous uncovering of secrets keeps you guessing until the very last page.

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4.5 stars. I read this book in one sitting and as fast as possible. Already requested book 2 (though sad it isn’t in audiobook format). The fairy clans in this book felt so similar to the elves in LOTR (I.e. powerful, unworldly, warriors, etc) which I loved. Really just ended up liking everything about this one other than a too slow of a burn happening between the MC’s.

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